Guard Against Flattery

He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips. (Proverbs 20:19)

We don’t really use the term talebearer much in our modern language. It was an old English word that meant one who is spreading gossip or is constantly revealing secrets.

Proverbs 20:19 says that this talebearer is a destructive force that decimates relationships and undermines trust. Interestingly enough, it also likens flattery to the same destructive power. Why is that? Flattery, while sounding good and feeling good on the surface, really conceals someone’s ulterior motives and seeks to manipulate and deceive.

Over the years, I have met many “flatterers.” Can you recognize them? They try to convince you that you are the best thing since sliced bread, when in actuality they are “buttering you up” so they can ask you for a special favor, make you do what they want, or try to sway you away from God’s purpose for your life.

If the people around you aren’t willing to tell you, in love, when you mess up, they are not pulling for your success.

Also, do not be quick to tell everyone about every plan, every problem, and every pursuit of your life. Those things are reserved for those who can be trusted with holding you up and pushing you toward success.

If you do not live for the praise of men, you will not die when they criticize you.

Practical Application

Make sure that, as a friend, you speak words of grace, truth, and encouragement. Build people up, don’t tear them down, and don’t speak well of people with ulterior motives. How can you sow life with your words today?

Leviticus 19:16; Proverbs 13:3

Love Bears

[Charity] Beareth all things. (1 Corinthians 13:7a)

Beareth is a term we don’t use much in our modern vernacular. What exactly does it mean to beareth those whom we say we love? In the Greek, beareth means to cover with silence. It means that, along with knowing when to say something to those you love; you are also sensitive about when NOT to speak.

Love beareth all things means if we say we love someone, we don’t talk about them behind their backs. We don’t say things to other people about them we wouldn’t say to their face. God’s love, when it is alive and working within us, should compel us to exercise discretion and restraint in our speech. It should be obvious that this includes refusing to gossip, slander, or tell untrue stories about others. Believers show love by guarding the confidence of those who confide in us.

Love, in its truest form, is resilient and unwavering, capable of continuing to stand with people when they are enduring trials, challenges, and hardships. Let us be examples of God’s love when those around us are going through life’s storms as we cover them with silence.

Practical Application

Ask yourself, “How were my words yesterday?” Will you honestly answer that question truthfully? Were you quick to engage in gossip? Was it easy to listen to someone tell a story about another? Or were you quick to stop such conversations? Did you try to end any talk that seemed to attack or be negative? Decide to be a peacemaker and change the atmosphere of a conversation by speaking words of faith, hope, and love.

Proverbs 11:13; Romans 15:1

Rejoicing in Truth

Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth. (1 Corinthians 13:6)

Love does not rejoice when people are hurt. Love does not celebrate when people are destroyed. I don’t care who they are or what they did. If the love of God is working within you, you hope to see mercy and love win over judgment and pain.

Love doesn’t want people to go through pain. Love rejoices when those who have done wrong and have come to the knowledge of the truth.

Years ago, the concept of truth wasn’t seen as so objectively as it is in our society today. Many post-modern people will read 1 Corinthians 13:6 with the mindset that rejoicing in truth is simply celebrating those who have “discovered their truth.” This is not the case. In fact, most people who say they are living “their truth” are bound in deception by the enemy. The people around them don’t really love them, because if they did, they would help open their eyes to the danger and iniquity they are tying themselves to.

What is truth? Truth is the Word of God.

Love speaks the Word of God with authenticity and transparency. Love declares what God’s Word says with a heart of joy and faith. Love celebrates when the Word wins. Love rejoices when people give their lives to Jesus. Love celebrates when someone who had done wrong opens their eyes, repents, and turns back to God.

When we act with a heart of love, we seek the redemption of others, regardless of what our emotions or flesh feel like in the moment.

Practical Application

When you pray for those who have done wrong, what does your prayer sound like? Are you praying for their eyes to be open and to see the error of their ways? Are you praying for God’s mercy and grace to find them amid their wrong and save them? Or are you using your prayers asking God to attack them? Love doesn’t rejoice in others’ destruction. It rejoices in God’s Word being fulfilled.

2 John 1:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:12